Globalink Research Internship

The call for student applications is now closed.

The Mitacs Globalink Research Internship is a competitive initiative for international undergraduates from Australia, Brazil, China, France, India, Germany, Mexico, Tunisia, and Ukraine. From May to October of each year, top-ranked applicants participate in a 12-week research internship under the supervision of Canadian university faculty members in a variety of academic disciplines, from science, engineering and mathematics to the humanities and social sciences.

Mitacs Globalink Research Internships are currently available at over 45 universities across Canada. For more information, please click on "Information for Students" to see the list of universities hosting Globalink interns in 2018.

Globalink cycle and important dates

April to June 2018: Professors submit research projects to Mitacs. All accepted projects are made available to student applicants in an online database. Professor project proposals are due June 13, 2018, by 1 p.m. PT, for 2019 Globalink Research Internships.

July to September 2018: International students submit applications and select research projects from the online database.

October to December 2018: Mitacs provides professors with proposed student candidates for their project, including application details, statement of research interests, CV, transcripts, and references. Professors are then encouraged to contact or interview the suggested students and provide feedback to Mitacs.

January to April 2019: Professors and their accepted student(s) arrange pre-internship details (e.g., reading to be completed beforehand) while Mitacs oversees logistics and coordinates with university administrative offices.

May to September 2019: Globalink Research Interns arrive in Canada and work with supervising professors for 12 weeks on their research project.

Matching process and evaluation criteria

Professor project proposals are submitted to Mitacs, reviewed, and upon acceptance, entered into an online database.

Applications from students are submitted to Mitacs. Students must select a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 7 research projects from the online database.

The Mitacs Research team scores each application based on criteria including, but not limited to, CGPA, university, and research experience, and ranks students based on their score.

A list of possible matches is generated by combining the lists of projects submitted by all students.

Faculty and students are invited to contact one another to conduct interviews and review one another for a possible match.

Mitacs collects the feedback and each match is weighted based on both the student’s and professor’s score and ranking.

Please note that approved projects are student-driven. If a professor’s prospective project is not selected for consideration by a student during the application process, it will not be assigned a Globalink Research Intern.

Logistics and student funding

Mitacs, in coordination with our funding partners, oversee the following:

Selection of a Globalink Mentor to assist with tasks including picking up students from the airport, escorting them to their residences, introducing them to their supervising professors, organizing social events, and acting as an emergency contact, etc.

Professional skills workshops

Industry events, such as meetings with professors, government representatives, and business leaders

Roles and responsibilities of the supervisor

Host professors must ensure the following is in place for their Globalink Research Intern prior to the start of the internship (as required):

Research supervision

E-mail and internet access

Lab and/or office space

Software or hardware

Any safety or orientation information required for the project

Globalink Research Interns are expected to work 40 hours per week on their research project. During the duration of the project, Globalink Research Interns may be invited to attend industry and/or government relations events, professional skills training workshops, or conferences. Supervising professors will be notified of their intern’s potential absences as far in advance as possible, and every attempt will be made to schedule these events outside of working hours.

All parties involved with the Mitacs Globalink program must comply with the Canadian host university’s policies regarding the ethical conduct of research and scholarly activities. Any issues or disputes around research or academic misconduct will be subject to the host university’s processes following their institutional policies.

Professor FAQs

I submitted a project proposal and was not matched with a Globalink Research Intern. Why did this happen?
Globalink Research Interns may not be matched with a project due to one of the following:

Students have not selected the project during the application process.

Students do not have the appropriate skill set or experience to ensure a successful match with their selected project(s).

The number of applicants exceeds the number of placements possible with available Globalink Research Internship funding.

Can I nominate a specific international student to become a Globalink Research Intern and work on my research project?
No. Globalink Research Internships are highly competitive. Students must apply during the call for student applications. If eligible for the program, students are further evaluated and shortlisted. Students can be matched with any project that best suits their research interests and experience.

Which disciplines is a Globalink Research Internship open to?
Globalink Research Internships are open to all academic disciplines including humanities, social sciences, and STEM disciplines.

I submitted a research project to Globalink for the summer of 2019. What is the status?
We are building the capacity to inform professors of the status of their application. Until this becomes available, please refer to our Globalink Cycle and Important Dates section.

Can I have more than one Globalink Research Intern placement per year?
Mitacs encourages professors to submit multiple projects, as this may increase the chance of a successful match.

Placements are determined by student preference and as such, Mitacs cannot guarantee that projects will be matched until the final results are announced in January

Does the Globalink Research Internship provide funding for professors who host Globalink Research Interns?
No, we do not provide financial compensation to host faculty members. All funds are given to the student directly.

I’m a postdoctoral fellow. Can I host a Globalink Research Intern?
In order to host a Globalink Research Intern, you must be an official faculty member at one of our participating institutions.

Can professors from any Canadian universities apply for Globalink Research Internships?
Yes, professors from all universities are eligible to apply.

Can a Globalink Research Intern conduct their research off campus?
Typically, Globalink Research Internships take place on the host institution’s campus. Please contact the Globalink Research Internship team for special considerations at https://helpdesk.mitacs.ca/

The call for student applications is now closed.

Mitacs encourages you to start working on the following items before the call opens:

Confirmation that your passport issued by your home country is valid until at least January 2020

You’ll need to provide a copy of your passport if your application is approved

Each year between May and September, Globalink Research Internships bring a select group of international undergraduate students to do research at Canada's top universities.

During their internships, students participate in research projects under the supervision of outstanding faculty members, work with graduate students & research associates, and experience the many one-of-a-kind educational, social, and recreational opportunities Canada has to offer.

China

Eligible applicants: Chinese citizens; full-time undergraduate students (or combined undergraduate/Master’s program) with one to four semesters remaining in their program as of Fall 2019

Minimum grade point average: 85%

Additional requirements:

Upon completing the Mitacs application, please register with the CSC between September 14-19, 2018. To register with the CSC, please visit: http://www.csc.edu.cn

If you have any questions about registering with the CSC, please contact your home university. Note that you will not be accepted into the Globalink program if you do not meet both Globalink and CSC eligibility requirements and complete both applications

Candidates will be required to demonstrate a TOEFL exam with a total score of 95 or better, or an IELTS score of 6.5 or better, to the China Scholarship Council prior to their departure

France

Eligible applicants: French citizens, permanent residents, and international students; full-time undergraduate students (or combined undergraduate/Master’s program) with one to four semesters remaining in their program as of Fall 2019

Minimum grade point average: 12/20 or equivalent

Germany

Eligible applicants: full-time undergraduate students with one to four semesters remaining in their program as of Fall 2019 (German applicants enrolled in a Master’s degree are not eligible for the program)

Special instructions: applicants may request shorter internships, with a minimum 10-week duration. Applicants can also request a delayed start date of up to July 31, 2019. These exception requests must be sent to, and approved by, Mitacs.

India - new information on grade point average

Funding partners: Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD); All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)

Eligible applicants: full-time undergraduate students (or combined undergraduate/Master’s program) with one to four semesters remaining in their program as of Fall 2019

*NEW* Minimum grade point average: 80% (the previous grade requirement for TEQIP-III institutions has been removed)

Special instructions for applicants at IIT Bombay: Applicants must be undergraduates in their second or third year in aerospace engineering, chemical engineering, chemistry, civil engineering, computer science and engineering, electrical engineering, energy sciences and engineering, engineering physics, mathematics, mechanical engineering, or metallurgical and material engineering

Special instructions for applicants at TEQIP-III institutions: applicants must be in engineering or related disciplines

Tunisia

Eligible applicants: students enrolled in an eligible university; full-time undergraduate students (or combined undergraduate/Master’s program) with one to four semesters remaining in their program as of Fall 2019

Minimum grade point average: 12/20

Ukraine

Eligible applicants: students in enrolled in an eligible university; full-time undergraduate students (or combined undergraduate/Master’s program) with one to four semesters remaining in their program as of Fall 2019

Minimum grade point average: 80%

What a Mitacs Globalink Research Internship offers you:

A 12-week internship that increases your knowledge of and explores hands-on research in your field of study

Access to Canada’s unique research landscape: applied, dynamic and innovative

A rewarding experience combining academic research at a Canadian university campus, professional skills development workshops and social activities

A chance for you to explore your independence and gain international experience in a new country

The opportunity for you to connect with potential graduate supervisors should you be interested in returning to Canada for graduate studies with a Mitacs Globalink Graduate Fellowship